Integral folding game board and box

ABSTRACT

Game equipment, such as a board game, hingedly constructed so that when shipped for sale or display, it can be folded into a three-dimensional box, with separate lid. The box can contain game pieces, instructions, and other game-playing materials and equipment. The box can be shrink-wrapped or similarly packaged to effect attractive display, and save on shipping and storage cost, as well as paper usage. When unfolded for playing of the game, the game board can be refolded into a box-shape for storage, or preferable, folded compactly, and relatively, in a see through bag with closure.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention is a game board constructed such that in condition for shipping, display, and storage, it can be folded into a three dimensional box, and alternatively, for easy storage in the home, school or other place of use, can be folded into a relatively flat, compact shape, to enable storage with its related game equipment, in a compact space, as in a small plastic bag.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Games in which two or more players participate and which utilize means for advancing individual pieces along a path, or paths, toward the desired goal of the game are well known. Such paths are usually illustrated or displayed on a game board, a flat piece of game equipment labeled or printed with the pathways for the desired game to be played. Many game boards are designed around a center rectangular portion, and are conveniently manufactured is a related rectangular or square shape. Other games are played with a different display on the board, but are nevertheless manufactured with the board having a rectangular or square shape. Pieces played or moved by each player are moved along various paths in accordance with the rules of the game, and often as determined by movement directors, such as dice, cards, spinners, or similar mechanisms.

[0003] The game boards referred to above and manufactured generally to fold in half, and to be placed in a rectangular or square storage box, which also contains the playing pieces, movement directors, instructions, and other equipment necessary for playing the game. The storage box is then provided with a cover, which serves generally for the sole purpose of covering the box containing the game equipment.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0004] The present invention is a game board, which unfolds into a flat playing surface, on which the paths of the desired game are printed or labeled. In its original folded state, as purchased by the consumer from the store, the game board is folded into a three-dimensional shape, namely a cube-like box. In its folded state, the game board-box holds the necessary equipment for playing the games, as in pieces, movement directors, instructions and the like. The folded game board-box is topped with a separate lid. The lid is held, for the purposes of convenience for shipment, sale and storage, securely to the box, by means of clear shrink-wrapped packaging, a small amount or rupturable adhesive, or the like.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0005]FIG. 1 is a plan view of a game board according to the present invention.

[0006]FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the embodiment in FIG. 1, when folded in its original form as for shipment, sale or storage, covered with the separate lid.

[0007]FIG. 3a is a perspective view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, when partially folded, and 3 b when folded in its original form for shipment, sale or storage, with the lid removed.

[0008]FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the game board in its compact form for home storage.

[0009]FIG. 5 is a plan view of a game board according to an alternative embodiment.

[0010]FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 5, when folded in its original form for shipment, sale or storage, with the lid removed.

[0011] Referring now to the drawings in greater detail, the embodiment seen in FIG. 1 comprises a rectangular playing surface game board 1, comprising 9 portions, indicated as 2 through 10, which are hingedly joined at hinge lines 11 to one or more other board sections, forming the roughly square playing surface.

[0012] More specifically, center section of the board 6 is hingedly attached to four adjacent sections, namely 3, 5, 7 and 9. Corner sections 2, 4, 8 and 10 are joined to a single adjacent section, as in the illustrated embodiment where corner sections 2 and 8 are hingedly attached to section 5, and corner sections 4 and 10 are hingedly attached to section 7. Such selected hinged attachment permits the folding of the board into a cube.

[0013]FIG. 2 illustrates the board as originally folded, as for sale, shipment and optional storage. In order to achieve the illustrated cubic shape from the flat game board position, one raises sections 5 and 7 to a position perpendicular to center section 6, and folds corner sections 2 and 4, and 8 and 10 to enclose the center section, forming the a rough cubic box, as in FIG. 3a. One lifts sections 3 and 9 into perpendicular position, completing the sides of the box as at FIG. 3b. The cube is then completed by the placement of lid 12 onto the box.

[0014] In order to utilize the game board 1, for playing the game, one removes the optional shrink-wrap or other outer packaging. One then removes the lid 12 of the box, by simply lifting it off, or by removing tape or severing any adhesive lines which may be utilized in shipment of the game box. The box may be unfolded easily, to form a flat playing surface.

[0015] Upon completion of the game, one may fold the box into the original cube shape, shown in FIG. 2, by following the simple directions above. The game board box may also be folded flat for even more compact storage, as shown in FIG. 6. In the illustrated folded position, corner sections are folded flat toward their adjacent center piece, as 2 and 8 are folded flat onto 5, and 4 and 10 are folded flat onto 7. Sections 7 and 5 are then folded in upon center section 6, forming a compact, relatively flat package, which can be stored efficiently, including with game pieces, and other game equipment, as instructions, and movement director, as in a collapsible plastic bag.

[0016]FIG. 5 illustrates an additional embodiment, in which the rectangular game board 13 is formed from 16 foldable sections, numbered 14 through 29, with hinges shown at lines 30. Such a structure provides manufacturing flexibility, and the ability to fold the board into even a smaller cube.

[0017] The instant invention provides a number of advantages to both the manufacturer and consumer over conventional game board structures well known to board game players. A conventional board game, well known in the prior art, includes a fiberboard playing surface or game board. As commonly manufactured, the conventional game board may be approximately 20″×20″, or roughly 400″ square. The board may be folded either into fourths or, most commonly, into halves, into a space 20″×10″. Some fiberboard game boards may be folded into fourths, roughly 10″×10″.

[0018] As frequently packaged, the fiberboard game board is folded into halves, and placed inside a cardboard box having a separate lid. The cardboard box for storage is conventionally 2″ deep. The box may be equipped additionally with a shelf, on which the game board can be stored. The shelf may permit additional space in the box for compartmentalized storing of playing pieces, movement directors, and the like.

[0019] When the game board is placed in the box, and the lid is placed on top of the box, forming a closed package, which may occupy 400″ cubic shelf space. When the conventional fiberboard game board is folded into fourths, it can occupy 300″ cubic, or more of shelf space.

[0020] The amount of paper and board in the conventional structure can be estimated for the purposed of comparing the instant invention to the conventional board game structure. The conventional game board structure, as discussed above, requires 400″ square of fiberboard, onto which is conventionally laminated a paper or polymeric layer which is printed with the actual design, or targets, or pathways of the game, requiring another 400″ square of paper.

[0021] When packaged as described above, with box, shelf and lid, additional fiberboard and paper is necessary. In order to package the conventional game board of 20″×20″, folded in half, a box bottom of 23″×13″ or 299″ square is commonly used, with an accompanying box top of 23″×13″, or another 299″ square. Where the game box is configured with the storage shelf, as discussed, commonly 18″×12″, another 216″ square of paper or fiberboard material is used. Thus, the need for paper and fiberboard for the entire package of gameboard, with printed surface, and box with storage shelf is a total of 1614″ square.

[0022] In contrast, the game board of the present invention, utilizes markedly less paper and fiberboard. In the preferred embodiment, having nine sections, the board opens to generally the same size as a traditional board game, as 18″ by 18″, or 324″ square. Should the board be manufactured using a laminated sheet adhered to the board surface, thus showing the paths or targets of the game, the inventive board will include a paper or polymeric sheet, laminated onto the board, of the same dimensions, 18″×18″, or another 324″ square. In the inventive structure, the box is folded, as at FIG. 3b, with a lid 8″×8″, or 64″ square, resulting in a product which requires 712″ square of paper or fiberboard.

[0023] By comparison of the instant invention with the conventional game board, one can easily see the savings realized by use of the new board of this invention. As discussed in this application, a savings of 902″ square of paper and board is realized by use of the instant invention. Similar savings in terms of weight are realized by use of the board of this invention, with potential weight savings of 50%, or thereabouts.

[0024] As the disclosed board requires no separate box, with box liner or inner storage shelf, and requires only a small lid, great amounts of paperboard are saved, resulting in both an ecological and an economic benefit for the manufacturer, the retailer and the end consumer. Similarly, shipment costs are lower, due to reduced weight and need for space. The retailer benefits in a reduced need for storage space, as well as reduced shelf or display space.

[0025] Further benefits to the retailer include display space on the package. As the conventional game is stacked one on top of the other, all a buyer sees if the narrow side of the package, often 2″ high. The instant invention, when folded, shows a side panel of 6″×6″, providing space more easily seen by the consumer, thus providing more attractive display possibilities for the retailer, as well as more flexible arrangements due to the size and shape of the box.

[0026] Perhaps the greatest benefit is to the end user, the game player or collector, for whom the instant invention provides reduced cost, reduced need for storage, easy portability and packability for travel, and the like.

[0027] Other variations within the scope of this invention will be apparent from the described embodiments, and it is intended that present descriptions be illustrative of the inventive features encompassed by the appended claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A rectangular game board foldable for shipment, sale or storage, comprising a rectangular playing surface having 9 hingedly joined and foldable portions, said game board being readily foldable into a smaller configuration for storage.
 2. The gameboard of claim 1, wherein the board is foldable to form a cube shaped box having an open top.
 3. The gameboard of claim 2, wherein the cube shaped box is topped with a removable lid, to form a complete box.
 4. The gameboard of claim 3, wherein the removable lid is secured to the box by adhesive means.
 5. A rectangular game board foldable for shipment, sale or storage, comprising a rectangular playing surface having 16 hingedly joined and foldable portions said game board being readily foldable into a smaller configuration.
 6. The game board of claim 5, wherein the board is foldable to form a cube shaped box having an open top.
 7. The game board of claim 6, wherein the cube shaped box is topped with a removable lid, to form a complete box.
 8. The game board of claim 7, wherein the removable lid is secured to the box by adhesive means.
 9. A board game, comprising a rectangular game board foldable for shipment, sale or storage, said rectangular game board having 9 hingedly joined and foldable portions, said game board being readily foldable into a smaller configuration for storage, said game board having denotations of the paths or targets of the game; playing pieces for movement along the paths; movement director means for providing instructions as to the movement of the pieces of the game; a flexible plastic bag having closure means, for containing all elements of the board game. 